CNN LIVE EVENT/SPECIAL

Oscar Gold Rush

Aired March 24, 2002 - 19:00 ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED. DARYN KAGAN, HOST: And greetings from Hollywood, from the heart of the Hollywood. I'm Daryn Kagan, live from the red carpet right before the 74th Academy Awards.

And I'm here with my partner, Leon Harris. Leon?

LEON HARRIS, HOST: Good evening, Daryn, and good evening, folks who are watching this at home. I'm not far away from Daryn, I'm kind of suspended over Hollywood Boulevard here.

And folks, just in the last few minutes we've seen some raindrops rolling in here, but we've also seen the stars begin to roll in here on the red carpet in front of the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.

This is a very special moment. We are only moments away from the moment of truth for many of these stars who are just now walking in.

Let's get now down to Daryn Kagan, who's on the carpet, and she's been talking to stars even at the last -- Daryn, how long now? They've been coming in for the last half an hour or so.

KAGAN: They've been coming in. But right now, Leon, just on time for our special, the really big stars are starting to come in. And what better way to start this magical night than with a little bit of magic?

Sir Ian McKellen, nominated for his work as best supporting actor as Gandalf in "Lord of the Rings." Good evening.

SIR IAN MCKELLEN, BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR NOMINEE: Good evening. This is rather British weather, isn't it, little bit gray, little bit of blue in the sky.

KAGAN: I think they ordered it up just for you. I think it's already just started to sprinkle right now.

MCKELLEN: Middle Earth weather.

KAGAN: Of course, in your incredible career, you've taken on so may classics. But when you started with "The Lord of the Rings," a lot of fans very particular. Were you intimidated by taking on the role of Gandalf?

MCKELLEN: Well, you know, I hadn't read "Lord of the Rings" before I agreed to play the part. But I have played a few icons in my time, you know, Hamlet, Macbeth, and so on. So it wasn't too worrying.

But I did get a lot of advice from people who were very concerned that the book should -- that the film should be close to the book. But Peter Jackson, the director, always knew that he was making a film that the fans of the book would like, and so it's proved.

KAGAN: And not just one film, but three films all at one time.

MCKELLEN: This is cinematic history, really. The first movie's come out. We were all on tenterhooks, crossing fingers. And the public has taken to this film throughout the world, it's universal.

And we've two more to come, so, you know, this is just the beginning of it for "Lord of the Rings."

KAGAN: Real quickly, tell me, is this a lucky charm?

MCKELLEN: This is greenstone, which is unique to New Zealand. And when you visit New Zealand, which is where we filmed "Lord of the Rings," somebody gives you one of those if you're lucky. You can't buy it for yourself, you have to be given it.

KAGAN: Who gave you yours?

MCKELLEN: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) luck. Oh, I'm not going to tell you that. And you'll find a lot of the "Lord of the Rings" people are wearing them this evening.

KAGAN: All right. We'll look for them. And good luck tonight, and congratulations. Sir Ian McKellen, thank you very much. A pleasure to see you.

Just one of the many nominees. One reason it's so exciting this year is because it's such a wide-open race in all the categories. Very quickly -- and we'll be back here on the red carpet in just a second -- very quickly, let's take a look at some of the top nominees.

And here's Jodi Ross.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "LORD OF THE RINGS")

MCKELLEN: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) secret. It's insane.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JODI ROSS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This year, the Academy Awards are all about magic, math, and monsters. Leading the pack with 13 nominations in all is "The Lord of the Rings," but it's a horse race for best picture. Those in the running are "A Beautiful Mind," "In the Bedroom," "Gosford Park," and "Moulin Rouge."

In the best actor category, it's first timers versus the veterans.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RUSSELL CROWE, BEST ACTOR NOMINEE: The job is fine. I have enough money. It all seems to add up.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROSS: Russell Crowe hopes it all adds up again as he goes for a second shot at Oscar gold in "A Beautiful Mind." His competition, Sean Penn for "I Am Sam," Denzel Washington in "Training Day," Tom Wilkinson for "In the Bedroom," and Will Smith in "Ali."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "ALI")

WILL SMITH, BEST ACTOR NOMINEE: Man, you showed us right.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROSS: You'll laugh, you'll cry with the best actress nominees.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "MOULIN ROUGE")

NICOLE KIDMAN, BEST ACTRESS NOMINEE: But Christian loves me!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROSS: Nicole Kidman in "Moulin Rouge" goes head to head with Renee Zellweger for "Bridget Jones's Diary," Judi Dench in "Iris," Sissy Spacek for "In the Bedroom," and Halle Berry in "Monster's Ball."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "MONSTER'S BALL")

HALLE BERRY, BEST ACTRESS NOMINEE: I can't take this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROSS: Neither can we. Luckily, the Oscar race is in the home stretch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MCKELLEN: And that is an encouraging thought.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROSS: Jodie Ross, CNN Entertainment News, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: You know, and throughout the entire week that we've been out here covering this, everyone's been talking about these races as if they were horse races.

And here to help us separate the gonna-bes from the wanna-bes is Michael O'Rorke of the Hollywood Stock Exchange. As I hear it now, you did a great job picking the Golden Globe winners on your Web site. Do you care to take a chance at it this time around with the Oscars?

MICHAEL O'RORKE, HOLLYWOOD STOCK EXCHANGE: Yes, we fared pretty well with the Golden Globes. I think this is going to be a lot tougher night tonight. I think the only thing anyone really agrees upon is that no one can agree on anything about who's going to win. We're going to give it a shot.

HARRIS: Well, let's give it a shot right now. What do you think about best picture? We just had Ian McKellen here from "Lord of the Rings." What do you think about that movie's chances?

O'RORKE: Well, historically, the movie that gets the most nominations each year typically wins best picture. That movie is "Lord of the Rings" this year. Eighteen out of the last 20 years, that's been the case.

But a lot of people are knocking that movie this year because it's a fantasy film. Historically, those types of films don't do very well at the Oscars, so it's kind of got that strike against it.

O'RORKE: Well, it's a tight race. There's been a lot of bad press about "A Beautiful Mind," lot of complaints about the factual accuracy of the movie. But I think it might limp across the finish line, but I think it's going to get there in first.

HARRIS: You think that smear campaign stuff actually has an effect on the voters at all?

O'RORKE: You know, if anything, I think it might have even helped the movie. People maybe felt a little sorry for the picture. So I don't think it's going to really take away votes.

HARRIS: All right, let's talk about the people now. Best actor, you still -- you're picking Russell Crowe like everyone else here?

O'RORKE: No, no, going to stick with Denzel Washington. That's sort of been the thought since December, I don't really see any reason to change at this point. Russell Crowe's got to win two times back to back, that's very hard to do. You can't underestimate the difficulty of that.

Denzel's due. He should have won in '92 for "Malcolm X," he didn't. He should have won in '99 for "The Hurricane," he didn't. This is his year, I think.

HARRIS: As you said all that, I just heard them yelling Sean Penn's name. He's coming in.

All right, let's talk about actress now. How about that?

O'RORKE: Well, up until a couple of weeks ago, I think everyone thought Sissy Spacek was the clear choice, but then Halle Berry won the Screen Actors award, kind of made it a new ball game. I think Sissy Spacek is still the right play, though. I think Halle Berry's a case of too little, too late in terms of Oscar momentum.

HARRIS: As a matter of fact, Halle Berry has just arrived. You see here there in the middle of the crowd there.

And I'll tell you something, it -- what's happened, really, is that she's really become a big sentimental favorite here, from all the people we've talked with.

O'RORKE: Yes, I think you're absolutely right. It's a matter of, can she get to the wire in the last minute? Can she close the distance between her and Spacek? I don't think it's going to happen, but she might.

HARRIS: All right. Well, let's go down now to Daryn Kagan, who's down there in the crowd. Daryn?

KAGAN: All right, Leon. Tons and tons of stars, right now walking up right now, Marisa Tomei. Marisa, hi, Daryn Kagan from CNN.

MARISA TOMEI, BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS NOMINEE: Hi.

KAGAN: Congratulations on your nomination.

TOMEI: Thank you, thank you.

KAGAN: Of course, you won in this category before.

TOMEI: Yes, I did.

KAGAN: So does that take a little bit of the edge off?

TOMEI: Well, it's a nerve-wracking situation. There are a few other things that would take the edge off, I think, right now.

KAGAN: But we're not doing that.

TOMEI: (UNINTELLIGIBLE), we're not doing that, no.

KAGAN: I think a lot of people were overwhelmed with your performance in "In the Bedroom."

TOMEI: Thank you, thank you.

KAGAN: Did you have to fight to get the role?

TOMEI: I had -- yes, Todd didn't really -- he wanted to find an unknown, actually, originally, and when he was -- and he was -- also thought that I didn't really want to do it. He kept saying, "That's her agent talking, and she doesn't really want to." But I did, and when we finally met, then the chemistry felt right.

KAGAN: And did you have to convince him, or just was the meeting?

TOMEI: Oh, we actually just had a really lovely conversation, and I think from there it just came kind of organically.

KAGAN: Any concerns tonight about security, about coming out, I mean...

TOMEI: No, it kind of floated through my mind, but I let it float on out.

KAGAN: You just go ahead and think lucky things and think about the award.

TOMEI: Thank you.

KAGAN: All right. Congratulations, and good luck tonight.

Marisa Tomei, up for best supporting actress for her role in "In the Bedroom."

Well, I mentioned security, of course. This is the new Kodak Theater, and there's a lot of concerns, of course, in the -- in light of 9/11 about keeping it safe and secure tonight. And our Charles Feldman is going to tell us a little bit more about that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHARLES FELDMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Law enforcement and security officials are highly concerned about a possible terrorist attack at the Oscars tonight, though they say they know of no specific threat. They insist they are confident they are doing everything possible to make things safe.

JOHN PAVLIK, A.M.P.A.S.: We've been paranoid about security for a long time, so we've been doing a lot more security than most of the awards shows have in the past.

FELDMAN: Days before tonight's event, L.A. cops and FBI agents began securing the area around the new Kodak Theater, Oscar's lavish Hollywood home.

The subway that runs beneath the theater is not stopping at this station today. The air space overhead is now a restricted zone, patrolled by police choppers. The nearby Hollywood Hills are being scoured for terrorists armed with Stinger missiles or other devices capable of reaching the Academy Awards site.

The fans outside, for the first time, have been preselected, prescreened, and cut down to a somewhat manageable 450 or so.

Some stars have hired private bodyguards, armed for possible combat and skilled in the fine art of getting a movie star the hell out of here if an attack occurs. (on camera): So let's say this was Oscar night, and I was a celebrity, and there was an actual threat. This is what is likely to happen.

(voice-over): Those attending tonight's show are well aware of the possible danger, but are determined to not let any terrorist threat ruin Hollywood's biggest party of the year.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: I've heard that some people are concerned, and I just think, Well, I'm going to come, and, you know, nothing's going to stop me.

SMITH: Security people can't do it by themselves. You need all of the people to pay attention. And I think that's what we'll be dealing with in this situation.

FELDMAN: Again, police stress they know of no specific threat against the Oscars, but letting down their guard is simply not an option.

Charles Feldman, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Well, they told me I'd have no idea who I would meet here along the red carpet, and look who I found, none other than Ted Turner, the founder of CNN.

Hey, Ted.

TED TURNER, FOUNDER, CNN: Hi.

KAGAN: You representing our AOL-Time Warner family?

TURNER: Yes, I am, particularly Newline. Newline Cinema, we're up for a lot of awards tonight.

KAGAN: Give me a number.

TURNER: I think we're up for 14.

KAGAN: Hopefully you'll be the good luck charm.

TURNER: Thanks a lot.

KAGAN: We're talking fashion when I come back.

TURNER: yes.

KAGAN: What are you wearing?

TURNER: I'm just wearing a tux, my old tux. I've only got one.

KAGAN: You got one? Well, you look great.

TURNER: Well, thank you. KAGAN: Good luck tonight. Buy a new one, Ted. But you look great. Good to see you. OK.

All right, we're in the heart of Hollywood for the 74th Annual Academy Awards. It's not just who wins, not just who you run into, but what are you wearing? We're talking fashion when we come back.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, 1965)

JULIE ANDREWS, BEST ACTRESS: Oh, this is lovely. I know you Americans are famous for your hospitality, but this is really ridiculous.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, 1998)

JACK NICHOLSON, BEST ACTOR: I dropped about three quarts of water the minute they said my name, and up until then I was numb. Very nervous tonight.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Welcome back to the red carpet in the heart of Hollywood, right before the 74th Annual Academy Awards.

Robert Redford has just arrived. He's going to be honored later tonight for his contribution to the film industry.

Samuel Jackson is here as well.

I have with me Jim Broadbent, nominated for your work in "Iris." But I got to tell you, you are, like, the Oscar lucky charm, not just in "Iris" but in two other films that come with Academy Award nominations, "Moulin Rouge" and "Bridget Jones' Diary."

JIM BROADBENT, BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Yes, three of the actresses up for leading actress have been my co-stars. So what have they got in common? Me. That's what I say.

KAGAN: Women across Hollywood must be fighting over you to have you in their movies.

BROADBENT: I hope so, yes. It's only -- it's not been a long time coming, but it's only natural.

KAGAN: Well, they're going to have to get through this lucky woman, your wife, Anastasia. We're taken with your diamond that you're wearing.

ANASTASIA BROADBENT: It's very, very beautiful. I'm lucky enough to be lent it by H. Stearn (ph) to raise funds for AMFAR.

KAGAN: Just one of the many diamonds that we're going to see coming down the red carpet. If you wear it, they're making a contribution to a charity.

ANASTASIA BROADBENT: (UNINTELLIGIBLE), $10,000 to the charity.

KAGAN: Well, you look lovely. Congratulations, and good luck tonight, Jim Broadbent and his wife, Anastasia.

I got to tell you, I'm surrounded by stars, not just by stars but by jewels and fashions. And of course tonight lot of -- it's a...

Wait, wait, before we go to that package, Tom Wilkinson, nominated for "In the Bedroom." Congratulations.

KAGAN: Part of the phenomenal -- a phenomenal movie, a movie that really turned out to be an actor's movie, with nominations just not for you but Sissy Spacek, but Marisa Tomei, as well.

WILKINSON: Yes. Well, I mean, I suppose the director, who's an actor, has probably got something to do with it. He's a good -- you know, he knows about acting and knows good stuff from the bad stuff, I guess.

KAGAN: How much of a transition was that, to go to the Maine coast for you and get that Maine accent?

WILKINSON: It wasn't too tough. I mean, basically, you read the script and you knew what the character demanded, and so you thought you -- you had to do that. So it's more or less thee same job you do for any film that you're in.

KAGAN: And of course you look very different in that movie as you play a doctor and a man who likes to go out on a fishing boat, from tonight. You look elegant as well. Who are you wearing?

WILKINSON: Georgio Armani, of course.

KAGAN: You wear it well. Congratulations, good luck later tonight.

I think as we were talking to Tom Wilkinson, who's nominated for best actor, you saw Jodie Foster also arrive. She's presenting later tonight. Always looks lovely.

Let's go ahead and take a look at some fashions. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMES MISCHKA, FASHION DESIGNER: The thing (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Oscar night is really, like, the -- it's not only the Academy Awards of movies, it's the Academy Awards of clothes as well.

KAGAN: How early do you start talking to stylists about different actresses?

MARK BADGLEY, FASHION DESIGNER: It's kind of funny, we've always had a real rule, we won't talk to anybody until they announce the nominations, because you don't want to jinx anyone. Same way we won't say who's wearing our dresses, because we don't want to jinx that. We won't talk to them about the nomination, because we don't want to jinx the nomination.

But what happens is that the stylists start calling around Christmas time.

KAGAN: It's Oscar time, there's no bigger time for you. And you have some very high-profile clients that you want to make look great.

PHILLIP BLOCH, STYLIST: Well, I think it really starts back in September when we went to the fashion shows for spring. So we start really at December, when the Golden Globe nominations come out. Then we go through Golden Globes, SAG awards, Directors Guilds, and then they show again in February. So it's really fall that we're actually going to see on the red carpet on the celebrities, on the big celebrities.

KAGAN: And when you call, you say who you're doing.

MISCHKA: Yes.

KAGAN: For instance, Halle Berry, you're dressing Halle Berry. So you call them, and the conversation begins. Would you say, Hey, we have some great ideas for things that we think Halle would look great in?

MISCHKA: Yes, absolutely, or oftentimes you see something on them right off the catwalk, you say, Oh, my God, (UNINTELLIGIBLE), I want to see that on Halle.

BLOCK: This is a perfect example, I think, right? Like, this dress, as amazing as it is, they created it, it's beautiful, it's stunning. But oh, no, my client has maybe large breasts, so she wants some extra support. And, you know, everyone has a creative input. It's always a team effort.

KAGAN: Explain to me what "vintage" is. People hear, Oh, she's wearing vintage. But what is it? How do you define vintage?

RITA WATNICK, OWNER, LILY ET CIE: Vintage actually, by definition, is a fine mark of any year in which it was made. And what's very important to us is, when you're wearing a great dress, not only that the dress be good, but that the jewelry you wear with it be appropriate for the dress. Every girl that's ever worn a dress of mine to the Oscars has made a mark for themselves in fashion in so doing. And the way they did it was by being different.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Oh, my goodness, my heart, be still. Two of the biggest names in Hollywood, Robert Redford and Will Smith, here together, both honored tonight, you with your nomination for "Ali," and you're getting your lifetime achievement award. Congratulations to both of you.

SMITH: Thank you very much. I mean, I feel like very honored. You know, you see, see, you know who I'm standing with, right?

KAGAN: I do.

SMITH: He knew my name, he walked up and said, "Hi, Will," and everything. It was great.

KAGAN: You guys go back to...

ROBERT REDFORD: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) belong, that's all.

KAGAN: You go back to "Bagger Vance" days, right?

SMITH: Absolutely. Absolutely.

REDFORD: We do.

SMITH: That's...

REDFORD: A long time.

SMITH: ... just -- the concepts that I learned from this man, just incredible, just pure genius, and the way that he worked with me just forever changed my mind. I love that.

KAGAN: Not that the man needs any advice, he's doing OK, but any advice you can give him for longevity in Hollywood? And for what you're being honored for tonight, and that's a contribution not just as an actor but to the business in general.

REDFORD: Well, you know, as far as longevity, I think nobody's doing better than Will is. I mean, he's coming on -- he's come on with many different levels, and that's a result of his talent. And I was just happy to be part of one of them. But I don't think I need to give this man any advice. He's got his head on straight. He's going to be fine. He's giving a great performance.

KAGAN: I mean, of course, one of the things that's so exciting is tonight, is about the diversity of nominees that we're seeing, and of course you're part of that.

SMITH: Yes, you know, I think that it's one of those things that where blacks are 13 percent of the population in the United States, and Halle, Denzel, and I are 30 percent of the top two acting categories, so we're winning already.

REDFORD: My percent's shrinking. So I'm here to stand up for the minority.

KAGAN: Well, you're representing the white man very well, Rob, I can tell you that.

See you later.

Leon, I could go home a happy person right now.

HARRIS: I bet you could. You know what?

KAGAN: Listen, Robert Redford (UNINTELLIGIBLE)?

HARRIS: I bet you could go home a happy person. I'd go home (UNINTELLIGIBLE) right about now. You're having all the fun down there. But that won't go on for long, because I got a guest here, Anna David, of "Us Weekly," who's been giving me some insight on some of the wild and wacky things these people have put them -- their bodies and their minds through to get ready for this.

So we'll have that for you just after a break, so don't go away.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: You are looking at the live picture we've got here just outside of the Kodak Theater here in Hollywood, here on Hollywood Boulevard, where Oscar is being welcomed back to Hollywood for the first time since 1960.

I'm joined here at the -- our little booth here by Anna David with "Us Weekly" magazine, who has been sharing some of the most -- well, for those of us who aren't from Hollywood, some pretty incredible things that these people are putting themselves through, at least the women, in order to get ready for tonight.

What is the strangest thing you've seen these women put themselves through?

ANNA DAVID, "US WEEKLY": OK, well, I haven't seen this firsthand, but apparently there are women that are getting botox put in their underarms so that they don't sweat on their gowns.

HARRIS: Wait, now, botox is the stuff that people have been using to get rid of wrinkles, right?

DAVID: Right, right, right. It constricts the muscle. So what it does is, it makes you not sweat under your arms.

HARRIS: All right. Now, we're looking at Nicole Kidman as she's making her entrance here. Any idea what she might have put herself through?

DAVID: You know, Nicole is such a natural beauty, I'm sure she went through -- I actually did speak to her facialist. HARRIS: You did?

DAVID: Yes.

HARRIS: And what did you learn?

DAVID: Well, what I learned is that she charges $500 a facial. And she does both Halle Berry and Nicole Kidman. So, I mean, it's like -- it's a nonstop process for a celebrity to look good. It's part of their job.

HARRIS: Now, there's Jennifer Connelly. Now, assuming that -- well, what -- unless we get her to raise her arms, we'll never know if she did the botox thing, right?

But you know what? You're (UNINTELLIGIBLE) is that pretty much the routine here? I've been hearing stories about special hotel rooms set up where these ladies go to get these kinds of treatments.

DAVID: Absolutely. All the four-star hotels have been basically transformed into malls and spas, where every nominee and as well as every person attending the awards is invited in. At the Four Seasons, Estee Lauder did this best-of suite, where they got the very best, like, the eyebrow waxer to the stars, and they got the best hair stylist, and they got the best manicurist. And they did a spa to go, where they went to all of their homes.

HARRIS: I would hate to go home without getting the eyebrow wax of the stars.

All right, Anna, you stick tight here with me. Let's go back down to Daryn. I think she's got someone else to talk with.

Daryn?

KAGAN: Yes, no shortage of big stars to talk to here, Leon.

Just coming down the line here is Ron Howard, director of "A Beautiful Mind." He's coming? He's coming. Hang with me, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) these long arms. No, he's right here, we have him.

Hi, Ron, hi. Daryn Kagan from CNN. Hey, congratulations on the movie.

RON HOWARD, BEST DIRECTOR NOMINEE: Thank you, thank you. It's a...

KAGAN: So you go and try to make a nice movie about a nice story, it comes out beautifully, and it turns into one of the nastiest (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Oscar campaigns. Is that disappointing to see how that worked out?

HOWARD: There was some disappointing moments, I have to admit that. But along the way, I also have to say that the audience response to the movie, the validation that we've been getting, you know, with things like eight Oscar nominations... KAGAN: Not bad.

HOWARD: ... you know, has far offset it. So, you know, when I think of "A Beautiful Mind," I think of, you know, the joy I had making the movie, the belief I have in the movie, the -- so many people have come up and talked to me about the film, as having, you know, a real value in their lives even beyond entertainment.

You know, and probably tonight, these are the things I'm going to think about.

KAGAN: Well, among those many nominations, you're up for best director, of course, and having grown up in...

HOWARD: I noticed that.

KAGAN: Funny how that works. But of all the things you've accomplished in Hollywood, how important -- how much would this mean to have that feather in your cap?

HOWARD: Well, the -- I think, in a lot of ways, I mean, I know this is a cliche, I really was thrilled and relieved to get a nomination.

KAGAN: Relieved?

HOWARD: Relieved, yes, because I felt like I've been kind of in the running a few times and it hasn't happened, and you know how insecure show business people are. I started to wonder, you know...

KAGAN: They don't really like me.

HOWARD: And so it -- I -- it meant a great deal to me to be nominated. Now, by the time we get down to the category, you know, I'm going to want to win. Well, I hope we win all eight of our categories in this movie.

KAGAN: But if you had to pick?

HOWARD: If I had to pick one? One?

KAGAN: One.

HOWARD: Best picture, best picture. Well, it means so much, it encompasses so much in one acknowledgment.

KAGAN: Well, we will wish you well with that along with the other seven nominations. Congratulations and good luck tonight.

KAGAN: Leon, Ron Howard.

HARRIS: Yes.

KAGAN: Back up to you.

HARRIS: That's not a bad get there, Daryn. KAGAN: No. Did you see how I just pulled him over there?

HARRIS: You're -- you know what? You're impressing me with your skill down there, you know? I -- the long arm of Daryn Kagan is better than the long arm of the law, huh?

Well, listen, let's talk (UNINTELLIGIBLE) let's talk for a bit here with the man who we've been talking about all this week. This man has gotten (UNINTELLIGIBLE) lot more attention and affection, Phillip Bloch, designer and stylist to the stars.

You have been the guy that we've been talking about all week, because everyone's been guessing about what Halle Berry's going to wear. We all know that you've been dressing her for some time.

Now, before we talk about her, let's talk about some of the people that we have seen so far. Well, actually, we did see Halle. Did you see what she was wearing?

BLOCH: I saw it this morning and last week and the week before.

HARRIS: Do tell, do tell.

BLOCH: It's a Neely Saab (ph) gown. It was redone for her, our friend Marilyn was beading the dress the last two days. She's been sitting down beading. There she is. Ah! Can barely see the dress, it's a shame, with the crowds. You don't get to see all the work and labor. It's an incredible ball gown, like pieces of organza...

HARRIS: How much labor, how long did it take to make it?

BLOCH: Oh, it took days to make it, and then just to recreate it to put all the flowers in the right place so everything was covered, to put the beads on it. You know, it takes time. And the jewelry, all the jewelry, especially creative for Halle, the pumpkin ring by Harry Winston was specially created for her, it's one pumpkin diamond in the whole world.

HARRIS: One pumpkin diamond? How big is it?

BLOCH: It's worth $3.5 million.

HARRIS: That's a heck of a pumpkin.

All right, Philip, stay tight here. We're going to take a break, because we've got to get one in here right now. But there's so much more to see and so much more to talk about here at the 74th Annual Academy Awards, so don't go away. We're back with more in a bit.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: And welcome back to the Hollywood Gold Rush. I'm Daryn Kagan on the red carpet in the heart of Hollywood. Women across the world and across America are happy now because Denzel Washington has arrived here in Hollywood for the Academy Awards. I have with me here on the red carpet Baz Luhrmann, director of "Moulin Rouge" and his wife Catherine Martin (ph). Congratulations on the nomination.

BAZ LUHRMANN, DIRECTOR, MOULIN ROUGE: Thank you. Thank you.

CATHERINE MARTIN: Thank you.

KAGAN: This is kind of old home week for old the people from down under.

LUHRMANN: Well you know, that's true, but it's been five years of a journey and there's no doubt about it, this moment is the final moment. And whatever happens is irrelevant, you know. It seemed impossible to do and now first time in 20 years a musical nominated. We're very happy already.

KAGAN: And one thing that might happen is Nicole Kidman has a very good chance. You're good for her.

LUHRMANN: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) if she doesn't, I talked to her earlier today, she's -- her cup runneth over. But to me, she deserves it, you know -- her and my wife.

KAGAN: Yes, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) a big part of your movies ...

LUHRMANN: Production designer, a costumer designer, yes.

KAGAN: Good luck tonight and congratulations. Thank you so much. Leon ...

HARRIS: Yes.

KAGAN: ... back up to you.

HARRIS: Boy, thanks Daryn. I've been chatting here with Phillip Bloch, and we've been sitting here watching the different outfits that people have been wearing coming in here and coming into this thing we were talking about what to expect, and you were saying that you expected a much more elegant look throughout the evening. Any surprises?

BLOCH: Definitely looking very elegant. Kate Winslow in her red Benzolisi (ph) dress with the roses, is beautiful, Halle, of course. I think that Marisa Tomei is looking very elegant. Reese Witherspoon's wearing Valentino and Nicole Kidman (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Chanel -- that was made for her by Carl Logerfelt (ph), and she was doing fittings right up until this morning.

HARRIS: Yes. Well, what about the fact that for me as a novice here rather, I expected a lot more color, and it seems as though a lot of ladies are just wearing basic colors, basic black.

BLOCH: Well, black is still popular. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) created for a perfume called "Little Black Dress". Audrey Hepburn's worn little black dresses for years. It's -- black is classic. It's slimming, but I think we saw so much of it at the SAG Awards and the Golden Globes that the women are kind of shying more towards the pinks and the reds, the burgundy, a little more color.

HARRIS: Gwyneth Paltrow there arriving. You can barely make out what she's got on there.

BLOCH: She looks like she's in black. Oh no, wait, can't see that. The necklace is gorgeous. Gwyneth is someone you always look to for great style. Jennifer Connelly looking beautiful, getting gorgeous.

HARRIS: Well who's impressed you the most so far? We've seen at least, I don't know, about 25 or 30 big names come walking through here.

BLOCH: I really love Kate Winslet and I just thought that's very elegant, and Halle, of course, and I'm dying to see what Gwyneth is wearing. That's always my favorite.

HARRIS: Can you guess the designer from this -- from this angle from where you're standing right now?

BLOCH: A lot of times -- a lot of times, but Denzel looking great in his Armani tux -- look at that. And Paulette's wearing Carman Mark Volvo (ph) and her designer that did her jewelry is the same that did my ring. A little blink-blink for Paulette. I wonder if Denzel is going to buy that.

HARRIS: Is that Cameron Diaz back there? Can you tell what she's wearing?

BLOCH: Cameron, you can't see from there, but she was going to wear Westwood (ph) up until this morning and went for a last-minute change -- could be angora. Cameron is another one, always independent.

HARRIS: Did anybody surprise ...

(CROSSTALK)

BLOCH: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) she's wearing black Valentino, very simple. Sandy's (ph) a classic. I've worked with her for years, as well as Cameron. Sandy (ph) loves classic simple looks and I think she got a great one from Valentino.

HARRIS: One thing I'll tell you how much mileage Daryn Kagan's gotten out of trying to look like her too, OK. Thanks, Phillip. Stand by. Folks don't go away, as we said here, and as we've shown you here, there is so much to see here and so much to talk about. Don't go away. We'll have it all for you right here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: And welcome back to the red carpet -- Hollywood's red carpet. I'm Daryn Kagan joined with two of the most glamorous women in Hollywood -- Jodie Foster, Academy Award Winner, and Jennifer Connelly, nominated for Best Supporting Actress. Congratulations.

JODIE FOSTER, OSCAR PRESENTER: Yes, we have. Yes I produced a movie with Jennifer called "Waking the Dead", and she was wonderful in it. So, we always knew.

KAGAN: You knew back in the day. They're making a big deal over you like you're this overnight sensation, but you've been doing a lot of great work for a long time.

CONNELLY: Oh some of it better than others.

FOSTER: Oh Jennifer was a child actress as well, and that's something to remember -- in some great movies. So ...

CONNELLY: I'll just let Jodie speak for me.

KAGAN: Your publicist is Jodie Foster. Any advice you can give her now that she truly has arrived, how to stay on top?

It's funny because you've known her so long, but for the longevity on how to stay doing quality work and get those great parts?

FOSTER: She has the talent, you know, and that's all it really takes. Everything else is just showing up and people make a big deal of that. But really finally, if you do what you love, and you make the movies that you love, and you're good in them, you're OK. I think you stay afloat.

KAGAN: OK, it's a superficial part, but I've got to do the girlfriend thing about the fashion because you both look great. And first Jodie, I'll tell you, this is a little bit more vavoom than you usually do.

FOSTER: Well you know, I don't know, a little less vavoomic (ph) than I was six months ago, as we all know, but Giorgio Armani and (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

KAGAN: You look lovely, and Jennifer, everybody was wondering you're one of the -- one of the top people that were wondering what you were going to wear, and you look lovely. Who are you wearing?

CONNELLY: Valencia (ph).

KAGAN: And it's the first big awards that we've seen you not in black.

CONNELLY: Yes, I'm bold. I've gone neutral.

KAGAN: Well you look lovely, both of you. Thank you. Good luck tonight and good luck presenting. Jodie Foster and Jennifer Connelly, there's a little treat for you Leon. How about that -- two lovely ladies.

HARRIS: That's more than just a little treat, and thanks for getting the two people who weren't wearing black.

KAGAN: I know.

HARRIS: You just heard me talking to stylist Phillip Bloch about the fact that mostly all of the ladies that we've been seeing coming in here with these stunning outfits have been wearing a lot of black -- not this time around.

BLOCH: Not this time and Jennifer's dress by Nicholas Gastiares (ph), the designer for Valencia (ph). I heard she was doing fittings right up to yesterday too. It's so amazing -- we all know the date. We all know when it's coming, but it always happens that last minute.

HARRIS: Yes you were saying that some of these ladies have been changing their minds, even this morning.

BLOCH: Oh yes. Things have been going on up until this morning. We did a fitting this morning. Look how great ...

HARRIS: Sharon Stone ...

(CROSSTALK)

BLOCH: Yes Sharon Stone amazing, all in black.

HARRIS: Now who was that one? Let's see how good you are now. Who was she wearing?

BLOCH: I'm not sure. My friend Vivian Turner (ph) styled her, so I don't know, I have to find out on that one because they -- Sharon didn't decide she was going to do this until a couple of days ago. So and she was going to look for herself, and then last minute she just changed her mind.

HARRIS: Now I'm not going to ask you to give away all the secrets, but I want to know how it is that you know what everybody's wearing. Don't you stylists and designers sort of hold these things secret and close to your chest before unveiling them at an event like this?

BLOCH: Well it's not the answer to world peace. It's a dress. No, we love it and everybody loves to gossip in the fashion industry. See we could never be in the Secret Service or anything because we gossip too much. And I was at the hotels all this week, and I saw Sharon Stone there taking her bags and looking for jewelry and getting Calvin Klein sunglasses, you know everybody's been like getting their gear, you know.

HARRIS: And there's Nicole Kidman there.

BLOCH: Nicole is so amazing. I saw her yesterday. We talked for such a long time and she was just like so (UNINTELLIGIBLE) awards and she was just so thrilled to be, you know, nominated. And I said, you know, I'm waiting for Halle, but you might win.

HARRIS: You're right, she's got a good chance.

There's Julia Roberts. We've been waiting to see what she was going to wear.

BLOCH: Yes, you know, Julia's got simple elegance. Now look, she gave us the big thing last year, so she went a little more simple again this year.

HARRIS: That's fantastic.

All right, well once again, you hit all the nails on the head. Let's go down to Daryn. She's a little closer to the action now -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Plenty of action down here Leon, thank you very much, and I'm with Best Supporting Actor nominee Ben Kingsley nominated for his work in "Sexy Beast". Congratulations.

BEN KINGSLEY, BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR NOMINEE: Thank you very much.

KAGAN: I got to tell you , you were nuts in that movie.

KINGSLEY: I know I was. I was trying to be. I wasn't playing it for comedy. Well I was a bit, because you have to mix in comedy with that, you know, with that profound violence, and I -- it was great to be in the cinema and hear people laugh with and at dawn.

KAGAN: If anybody who hasn't seen "Sexy Beast," I think you could describe your performance by saying you were the un-Gandhi.

KINGSLEY: Yes, he's a psychopath. He's a psychopath, absolutely. But it's great, you know. This country and these audiences, you guys in Hollywood, you allow me to remain very free as an actor. You allow me to play a whole range, and you watch everything, and I'm very grateful.

KAGAN: Well, we enjoy your work.

KINGSLEY: Well thank you.

KAGAN: Good luck tonight.

KINGSLEY: Thank you very much indeed.

KAGAN: Ben Kingsley. More stars on the way, and I'll be right here with Leon and Phillip Bloch. We're going to take a quick break. We'll be back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Nicole Kidman there in the crowd. As a matter of fact, only, what, maybe about 25, 30, maybe 40 people behind me and Phillip Bloch here in our position here at the 74th Annual Academy Awards in front of the Kodak Theater. We've been talking about the ladies all evening. Let's talk some now about the men. You picked right off the bat that Denzel Washington was wearing an Armani tux, but one of the things I've noticed is that not every -- there have been almost half and half longer ties versus bow ties here in this crowd.

BLOCH: Oh yes and longer jackets. I think the guys are trying to do some a little different too. At Golden Globes you saw a lot of white shirts, silver tie. This time out I think we're seeing a lot more different things. I think the guys are wearing all different shoes.

HARRIS: There's Jon Voight there. Can you tell what he's wearing?

BLOCH: Jon Voight, let me check my list here. He might even know -- no, I don't know what Jon's wearing. Yes, but he always has style. Does he have a scarf on tonight?

HARRIS: Yes. When you decide to dress a person like a Denzel, how do you know what is the right style to go with, if a person who's watching this right now might decide they want to try a designer.

BLOCH: I think it's a lot about what the person's like -- like Denzel is very simple, so I love the Donna Karen tuxedos or the Armani. So I would say OK, Denzel is going to like Donna Karen or Armani. They like the certain style. Like Jim Carrey, I dress a lot. He loves Donna Karen, bam, I bring him Donna Karen, maybe Hugo Boss. But the man is very selective.

HARRIS: OK. Well, let's call on our Daryn Kagan who's also very selective. She's been selecting people out of the crowd as they've been walking past her all evening. Who do you have now Daryn?

KAGAN: Well, I only talk to Oscar winners, of course. It's getting very selective as the night goes on, Leon, and I have with me Marcia Gay Harden, who won for Best Supporting Actress last year. This year you will be presenting that. MARCIA GAY HARDEN, FORMER OSCAR WINNER: I'm presenting Best Supporting Actor. The girl gets to present the guy, the way it should be.

KAGAN: And what kind of advice could you give whoever's going to win?

HARDEN: Oh I think that they'll just have a glorious evening, just breathe and have a great, great evening. But all the nominees, I think all those balloons are floating tonight and they should stay in the air.

HARDEN: Well the great thing about these is they're part of a red carpet collection, and if you wore then, $10,000 will go to ANFAR (ph), which is an amazing AIDS research organization. So wear some diamonds, it'll go to charity -- why not?

KAGAN: And who's the designer?

HARDEN: The designer is Graff (ph), brilliant German designers.

KAGAN: Lovely, you know, I think I tried those earrings on in an earlier live shot.

HARDEN: Did you?

KAGAN: They look better on you.

HARDEN: You are wearing ruby red with your ruby red dress, so ...

KAGAN: Plenty of love to go around. Good luck.

HARDEN: Great. Thank you.

KAGAN: Leon, two girls talking jewelry on the red carpet.

HARRIS: Yes, I know, but she -- if she gets you started, you'll be there all night. But (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Phillip, you've been waiting to see this dress for a while now.

BLOCH: Yes, well I was in the show room the other day, and I had to picture this -- this is right off the runway from Oscar Delarenta (ph). I wanted this dress. I love this dress. But Marcia had gone to the show and seen it, so we let Marcia have it first. And her bracelets were by Lorraine Schwartz (ph), another great jewelry designer that works a lot with (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

HARRIS: Tell us some more about the dress. What is it?

BLOCH: It's Oscar Delarenta (ph). It's (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and look at it, it's like a starry fabric, the detail on there. It's really, really amazing, and she got an exclusive from the designer. Nobody else is allowed to wear Oscar Delarenta (ph) after she picked the dress.

HARRIS: What does something like this cost?

BLOCH: Oh, this must be like a $20,000 dress. Something like this is very contour and fitted to their body type. And then when you get into the jewelry, it's a whole another story.

HARRIS: Yes, well listen speaking of being fitted into the dress, we were talking a bit off camera about some of the other things these people are wearing under some of these outfits that we're seeing.

BLOCH: Oh the no-hose pantyhose to keep them smooth, the fashionable thing. You know there's so many sexy things. Look at Cameron in that floral dress.

HARRIS: All right, what do you think?

BLOCH: That's great because the girls don't wear flowers a lot. I have to look at it more closely but most of the women wear solid colors. I love when someone does floral patterns like that.

HARRIS: I'm surprised to hear you say that.

BLOCH: I did Lauren Holly in a dress very similar in that a couple of years ago. I think it's great.

HARRIS: OK, well let's go back down to Daryn. Daryn's a little closer -- Daryn.

KAGAN: We are back, sitting here talking fashion and fashion emergencies with Kirsten Dunst. Coming up, you'll be starring in the "Spiderman" movie.

KIRSTEN DUNST, OSCAR PRESENTER: Yes, which it'll be exciting. That opens May 3rd.

KAGAN: And we were kind of having a girlfriend moment here earlier. We were talking sometimes these dresses aren't and all this jewelry is not so easy to wear.

DUNST: Thank you very much. KAGAN: And good luck with "Spiderman". That movie is coming out. Leon, I know your son, Darin (ph), will be looking forward to that movie.

HARRIS: All right, Phillip Bloch back up here with me. We've been watching -- we've seen so many shots -- Halle's right behind you. I'm sorry we get to turn our backs to the camera.

BLOCH: I got to say hello to my girl. I'm sorry.

HARRIS: Now that is, how would you describe this outfit? For those who haven't had a full shot of her, because we can see it very well now.

BLOCH: Just incredibly elegant. I just love the sheerness and the embroidery covering up all the parts that need to be covered. And again, all of the jewelry, she designed with me for Harry Winston (ph) collection with the owner Ron Winston (ph). It's really amazing, and again, a large portion of the proceeds of the jewelry when it's sold are going to go to Halle's charity of choice, which is such an important thing.

HARRIS: Well I don't want you to embarrass her or give away too many secrets here, but one thing that we've all been asking is -- there we go, there she is with a full shot there.

BLOCH: Look at that -- Halle. I (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

HARRIS: I think she's a little busy Phil.

BLOCH: You know, she's just saying hey to me. What's up? You know.

HARRIS: Well did she have to go for any of the extra crazy dieting or the bow tux stuff we've been talking about all evening to get into her outfit?

BLOCH: She's such a natural beauty and such a great person. She doesn't need any of that. So, she just shines on her own. Really, I've seen her day and night, and she's ...

HARRIS: Did she tell you if she was nervous or not?

BLOCH: Yes, she was nervous.

HARRIS: OK. Well listen, one of the things that we've also been talking about is some of the gifts and the perks that these -- that the stars and the presenters get. Here's a look at some things that we found out.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED GROUP: Happy birthday to you.

ANN MCDERMOTT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is where it all began. The goody bag filled with cool, cheap stuff. Now for the stars, goodie bags became goodie baskets filled with cool expensive stuff.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is a cashmere hot water bottle holder.

MCDERMOTT: Don't have a hot water bottle? Well then just cut some holes in the cashmere and FiFi (ph) has a brand new outfit, or enjoy the sensual pleasures of body milk -- body milk?

But nobody outdoes Oscar. This year's goodie basket, said to be worth in the neighborhood of $20,000, features JOY, 400 bucks an ounce.

MIKE TSCHIDA, ENTERTAINMENT MARKETER: Ten thousand fresh jasmine and rose flowers that are crushed to make a single ounce.

MCDERMOTT: Then there's the Barbie bag -- Barbie?

BARBIE DOLL: Would you like to go shopping?

MCDERMOTT: See Barbie's a perfect symbol for a goodie basket, or is it just that everyone in Hollywood looks like her? So what else is in the basket? A certificate for a brand new mattress, and let's hope it's a little more comfortable than this one.

Now these baskets go to folks who, well some of them make a decent buck. But do they really need or do they really want this stuff? Well, Terri August (ph), who assembled the Oscar basket says sure.

TERRI AUGUST: Everybody likes getting free stuff. I do.

MCDERMOTT: And so apparently does presenter Jodie Foster. Here she is being told this year's goodie baskets would have some real good stuff.

FOSTER: They do? Wow, that's always good.

MCDERMOTT: Good golly, we almost forgot to mention the certificate for free teeth whitening -- like any of you guys need that.

Ann McDermott, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: Boy, I tell you, this has been some scent that we've been seeing. Daryn, how loud is it down there because I've got to tell you along with Phillip Bloch over here screaming in my ear at Halle Berry, the noise level over here has picked up so much it's ridiculous.

KAGAN: Leon, it is pretty loud down here depending on by -- who goes by. I've got to tell you it has been such a thrill to be down here. I've never done it before, and -- but the night is just beginning. We both have a lot ahead of us. I'll be going backstage and then to the parties. And then we'll both be on tomorrow on CNN on "AMERICAN MORNING" and then of course our own show from 10:00 to noon Eastern.

HARRIS: That's right and all evening throughout the show here. I'll be here to give you updates on exactly what's happening inside and all the crazy folks like Phillip Bloch who are still screaming out here. But that's all for right now. It's time now to go check out the show.

I'm Leon Harris.

KAGAN: And I'm Daryn Kagan.

Leon, my friend, as always, a pleasure. Stay with CNN for the latest on your Oscar coverage.

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